I'm 64 years old male.Last 1+ months I am suffering from dry cough.In the beginning I started Sitopaladi churna,honey, Jeshtimadh(yashtimool sometimes called) but no improvement. So I consulted general physician and he prescribed Asthalin Expectorant Plus and Montina tablet(one tablet a day) but effect of medicine is very little. I checked body temp and it is 97. I live in Chembur,Mumbai where Air quality is very very poor(highly polluted). Please suggest proper medication. My PP sugar level is slightly high.

Ans: It's great to see your disciplined approach towards investing through SIPs and also diversifying across various mutual fund categories. Let's review your current investments and provide some insights:

Diversification: You've done a good job diversifying across different mutual fund categories like Small Cap, Flexi Cap, Emerging Equities, Large and Mid Cap, Flexicap, and ELSS. This approach can help spread the risk and potentially enhance returns.
Performance Review: It's essential to periodically review the performance of your funds. While past performance is not indicative of future results, checking the fund's performance relative to its benchmark and peers can give you insights into its consistency and potential.
Liquiloans: Investing in platforms like Liquiloans involves lending money to borrowers, which carries a higher level of risk compared to traditional investment avenues. The risk associated with such platforms is higher due to factors like borrower defaults and platform-specific risks. Given the higher risk involved, it's crucial to evaluate whether this aligns with your risk tolerance and overall investment strategy. Considering your other diversified mutual fund investments, you might want to reconsider allocating a significant portion to such platforms and explore more stable and regulated investment options to safeguard your investment capital.
Professional Advice: Consider consulting a Certified Financial Planner to get a comprehensive review of your portfolio. They can provide personalized advice tailored to your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. They can also guide you on whether to continue with your current SIPs or make any necessary adjustments.
Stay Invested: Investing is a long-term journey, and it's essential to stay invested and not get swayed by short-term market fluctuations.
Remember, while your current investment strategy seems well-diversified, it's crucial to review and adjust periodically to align with your financial goals and market conditions. Best wishes on your investment journey!

Ans: It's commendable that you're looking to start investing in mutual funds to achieve your financial goals. With a clear vision and a steady income, you're well-positioned to embark on this investment journey.

Given your goals and current investments, here's a suggested approach:

Retirement Corpus (5 Cr in 16 years): Given the time horizon, you can consider investing in a combination of equity mutual funds for higher returns potential and debt mutual funds for stability. An SIP in diversified equity funds and balanced funds could be a good starting point.
Son's Higher Education (1 Cr in 7 years): To achieve this goal, you might consider investing in a mix of equity and debt funds, leaning more towards equity for higher growth potential.
Son's Marriage (1 Cr in 10 years): Similar to the education goal, a blend of equity and debt funds can be considered. You might also explore targeted funds designed for specific financial goals.
Given your current investments in PPF, VPF, PF, and NPS, you have a stable foundation. However, considering the reducing interest rates and your goals' timelines, diversifying into mutual funds could potentially offer higher returns.

A Certified Financial Planner can provide personalized advice tailored to your needs, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. They can help you select suitable mutual fund categories, recommend investment amounts, and guide you on portfolio diversification.

Remember, investing is a long-term commitment, and it's essential to stay invested and review your portfolio periodically. Best wishes on your investment journey towards achieving your financial goals!

Ans: It's great to see your proactive approach towards saving for your child's higher education. With your current SIP investments, you're already on the right track. However, it's essential to regularly review and adjust your investment strategy to align with your goals and market conditions.

Considering your income and the goal of funding your child's education, diversifying your investments further could be beneficial. You might consider adding SIPs in diversified equity funds or balanced funds to spread the risk and potentially enhance returns.

A Certified Financial Planner can provide personalized advice after assessing your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial goals. They can help you optimize your portfolio, recommend suitable fund categories, and suggest any necessary switches to align with your objectives.

Remember, investing is a journey that requires periodic review and adjustments. As you plan to increase your SIP amount, it's crucial to ensure that your investments are well-diversified and aligned with your goals. Seeking professional guidance can help you make informed decisions and achieve your savings target. Best wishes for your child's bright future!

Ans: Calculating the exact amount you need to invest in NPS to achieve a monthly income of Rs 1.35 lakh after retirement involves several factors, such as your current NPS corpus, expected returns, and the annuity rates prevailing at the time of retirement.

To determine the required NPS investment, you'd typically need to consider your expected rate of return and the annuity rates applicable at retirement. Annuity rates can vary based on market conditions and the prevailing interest rates.

It's crucial to consult a Certified Financial Planner to get a comprehensive understanding tailored to your specific situation. They can help you assess your current financial position, estimate your retirement needs, and devise a suitable NPS investment strategy to meet your income goal.

Remember, retirement planning is a complex process, and it's essential to consider various aspects to ensure a comfortable retirement. Seeking professional guidance can provide clarity and help you make informed decisions. Best wishes for your retirement planning journey!

Ans: Planning to retire in just 5 years with a comfortable monthly income is an ambitious and commendable goal. With your current corpus in mutual funds, stocks, and liquid assets, you've already taken significant steps towards financial independence.

However, retiring with a corpus sufficient to withdraw 1 lakh per month requires a well-thought-out strategy and disciplined approach. A Certified Financial Planner can help you assess your current financial situation, evaluate your retirement needs, and design a tailored investment plan to bridge the gap.

Considering your existing liabilities like car loans and desired monthly withdrawal, it's crucial to strike a balance between growth-oriented and stable investments. Diversifying your portfolio while focusing on generating consistent returns can be key.

Remember, the journey to early retirement requires patience, determination, and prudent financial decisions. Regular reviews and adjustments to your plan will be essential. With careful planning and guidance, your dream of an early retirement can become a reality. All the best on this exciting journey!

Ans: Hello Levin,

First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. I am happy to hear that your son has completed his Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering and is currently in the field of Data Science. To answer your question first, I would like to tell you that changing from mechanical engineering to data science and then pursuing an MBA in Finance demonstrates a diversified skill set and drive. I would recommend that your son takes into account the following steps:

Firstly, he should investigate MBA programs in the USA with strong finance specializations and a track record of admitting students from a variety of academic backgrounds. Stanford Graduate School of Business, the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, Harvard Business School, and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania are a few well-known finance schools that your son can consider applying to. Next, remember that the admission prerequisites for each MBA program will be unique. These typically entail academic marksheets, GRE or GMAT test scores, essays or personal statements, endorsement letters, and at times an interview. While other programs may accept recent graduates, some may demand professional experience. Thirdly, although your son doesn’t have a formal background in finance, drawing on his experience in data science and mechanical engineering he can display problem-solving skills, analytical abilities, and a strong foundation in quantitative methods, all of which are highly sought-after in the finance industry. Bear in mind that either GRE or GMAT scores are required by the majority of MBA programs. In order to attain a competitive score, I would suggest that your son begins studying for the exam well in advance. A number of resources viz., practice tests, study guides, and prep courses are accessible. As the next step, your son should create an appealing application. Remember, to prove your son's interest in finance and possible success in an MBA program, the endorsement letters and application essays are important. Your son should talk about his professional objectives, how an MBA best resonates with his plans, and what unique viewpoint he brings to the table. I would like to let you know that unique courses or dual-degree possibilities that integrate finance with other subjects viz., analytics or technology are offered by certain MBA programs. For individuals with experience in both data science and engineering, these programs may be well-suited. As the next step, your son should look into possibilities for scholarship and monetary assistance opportunities that MBA programs offer. In addition, he should also investigate external scholarships specifically designed for students pursuing finance-related degrees. Remember that during the MBA application process, building connections can be beneficial, and therefore, I would suggest that your son gets in touch with students who are currently enrolling in, or past graduates of the programs he’s interested in, in order to learn about their experiences and possibly even find a mentor.

Bear in mind that the MBA application process might be competitive, and thus, your son should step forward with utmost effort and determination and highlight his particular abilities and experiences. I wish him all the best as he embarks on his journey to pursue an MBA in Finance in the USA.

For more information, you can visit our website.

Ans: It's impressive to see your proactive approach to financial planning at such a young age. With a healthy income and diverse investments, you're laying a strong foundation for your future. Your current SIPs reflect a balanced approach, diversifying across various market segments.

Regarding NPS, it's understandable that the lock-in period may not align with your comfort level. While NPS offers tax benefits and retirement planning advantages, it's essential to choose investment avenues that resonate with your financial goals and preferences.

Considering your financial situation and goals, a Certified Financial Planner can help streamline your investments and align them more closely with your aspirations. They can guide you on optimizing your portfolio, considering factors like risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs.

Remember, financial planning is a dynamic process. As you progress in your career and life, your goals and priorities may evolve. Regular reviews and adjustments to your investment strategy can help you stay on track. Keep up the good work, and best wishes for your financial journey ahead!

Ans: It's commendable that you're planning ahead for your family's future. With clear financial goals and a steady income, you're already on the right path. Given your aspirations, mutual funds can play a pivotal role in achieving these milestones.

For your retirement goal of accumulating 6 crores in 20 years, systematic and disciplined investing will be key. Similarly, for your son's education and marriage funds, a structured approach can make a significant difference.

Considering your current investments in PPF, NPS, ULIP, and other schemes, mutual funds can complement these by offering diversification and potential growth opportunities. A Certified Financial Planner can help you tailor an investment strategy aligned with your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Remember, investing is a journey, not a race. It requires patience, diligence, and periodic review. By investing wisely and staying committed to your goals, you can pave the way for a secure and prosperous future for your family. Best wishes on your financial journey!

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Your first question is something that you have already answered yourself. Since you said that you got very less in alimony, obviously it suggests that the terms of separation of assets and monetary compensation and support for you and the child was not drawn up by your lawyer. (if you had a lawyer or was it a mutual consent divorce?) I am unaware if things can be changed through legal means demanding more compensation now; you can check with a legal expert.
But I don't understand the manipulation part. What does he do to manipulate your son?

Secondly when your son says that he does not want to share you with anyone, he is just confused and scared. He has lost his father in this divorce and does not want to lose you as well. At 12, they go through a lot of hormonal changes and it can be a confusing time. Also it is possible that he has not yet processed this separation. Sit him down and explain what has just happened. He needs to first feel safe before he is in a place of accepting another person as a part of your life and his. Address all his concerns gently and provide him with all the reassurance that he seeks to feel stable and safe. On your part, are you looking for a partner only because your ex-husband has moved on? Something to ponder over...

All the best!